Cobras rest JP for Dolphins clash

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA - JANUARY 22: JP Duminy during the 2014 Ram Slam T20 match between Nashua Mobile Cape Cobras and The Unlimited Titans at Sahara Park Newlands on January 22, 2014 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Carl Fourie/Gallo Images)

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA - JANUARY 22: JP Duminy during the 2014 Ram Slam T20 match between Nashua Mobile Cape Cobras and The Unlimited Titans at Sahara Park Newlands on January 22, 2014 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Carl Fourie/Gallo Images)

Published Jan 23, 2014

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Johannesburg – The Cape Cobras will be without Graeme Smith and JP Duminy when they take on the second-placed Dolphins at Boland Park, in Paarl, on Friday.

“JP will have a break on Friday, and Graeme has been pulled out of the tournament altogether because his ankle flared up. It's a precaution, and he'll also be preparing for the Test series,” Cobras' coach Paul Adams said in a statement on Thursday.

“Hashim Amla will play his final match before he takes a break, while Duminy will return in time for the Cobras' final two games next weekend.

“We'll also have a look at Vernon Philander and see if his fitness is all right. He woke up with a back spasm on Wednesday, so we'll see if he's all right to go on Friday.”

Justin Kemp will play his first game since taking a break for the birth of his child, as a spot has opened up for him in the line-up.

Despite the Cobras' numerous team changes, they have a 10-point lead at the top of the table. However, the Dolphins have two games in hand.

Friday's clash is crucial if the Dolphins are to deny the Cobras a second home final of the season.

The Dolphins go into the fixture in excellent form, having scored a mammoth 214 for two in a handsome victory over the Highveld Lions on Wednesday night. – Sapa

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